As Storyteller at the Lion & Unicorn's regular Saturday Storytime I recommend the following as my favourite and most-used collections of read-aloud stories for ages four to eight...
IAN BECK'S retellings of traditional tales are beautifully illustrated picture books of well-known favourite tales which wonderfully capture the experience of traditional oral storytelling. The repeated refrains are emphasized in large, bold lettering to encourage joining in and reading together with actions and sound effects included in italics, and there is plenty of lively character dialogue to animate the telling. The stories are simply told and well-structured and have been greatly enjoyed by even the very youngest listeners.
All titles in the series published by Oxford Children's Books, including -
TERRY JONES is a terrific storyteller and in Fairy Tales and Fantastic Stories he combines the magical and enduring quality of traditional tales with his own amazingly vivid, far-reaching and quirky stories full of eccentric and colourful characters, amusing antics and surprising twists. The stories that make up these two collections are a real treat for the imagination and have the kind of gentle moral messages which add depth and interest They have appealed to and delighted children from age four upwards.
Terry Jones' Fairy Tales and Fantastic Stories, Chrysalis Books 184365055X, £14.99
As a variation on material to read aloud, particularly in view of the success of rhyming stories such as 'The Gruffalo' and 'Room on the Broom', I recommend getting to know a great collection of poetry and finding your favourites. I love the RANDOM HOUSE BOOK OF POETRY FOR CHILDREN compiled by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, which Lion & Unicorn import from the U.S. It's brimming with amusing and enjoyable poems on all sorts of themes and subjects, all chosen for their tried and tested appeal to children's ears.
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children, U.S.A. 0394850106, £15.99
MICHAEL ROSEN'S collection of FUNNY STORIES is great for dipping into. There are many stories here which work well and are very funny to read out loud. My favourite is 'The Rajah's Ears', but be prepared for the song you have to sing at the end!
Funny Stories compiled by Michael Rosen, Kingfisher 0753411520, £5.99
The Kingfisher TREASURY OF SPOOKY STORIES contains some of the classic spine-chillers to read aloud such as 'The Hairy Toe' and 'The Teeny Tiny Woman'. Both are great fun and have been much enjoyed at our Halloween Spooky Storytime.
Treasury of Spooky Stories ed. Jane Oliver, Kingfisher 0753410397, £4.99
SARAH JUPE