January/February 2013

Victorian Postcard, 1905

Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!
~William Arthur Ward

 

Happy New Year!

I hope the holiday season found you surrounded by those you love and those who love you. It’s hard to believe another year has passed but each New Year brings with it the opportunity for a fresh start, new goals and endless possibilities.

 

Last night I was blessed to participate in New Bedford’s AHA New Year’s Eve celebration. As always, the audiences were delightful and eager to listen to winter tales told (not read) from around the world. This year was extra special as one of my fourth grade storytelling students and her family were in the audience for the second show. This is my third year participating in this amazing event; it is always a fun and delightful way to ring in the New Year! Afterwards, a late dinner with my family and grandson, just two months old, to ring in his very first New Year; a perfect ending to the old and beginning of the new!

I already have plans to attend the LANES Northeast Storytelling Conference in Maine in April where I will present my workshop, Story by Story: Building a School Storytelling Troupe. This is always a wonderful conference, with something for everyone, whether you are a storyteller, librarian, educators, etc. If you are experienced in your field, or just beginning, join us for a weekend of learning, laughter, camaraderie and stories!

In August, I will make my way to Virginia for the National Storytelling Network’s Conference. This is another wonderful opportunity to network with friends old and new, learn something fresh and fun, and come away rejuvenated and inspired. I hope you can join me at either conference, or better yet, both!

As always, I appreciate your time. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please drop me a note at storybug@aol.com; I love to hear from you!

May 2013 bring you health, joy, serenity and success!
 

Karen Chace
www.storybug.net

 

This week a storytelling colleague shared this riddle from National Public Radio (NPR).

 What is greater than God
 Worse than the Devil?
 The poor have it.
 The rich need it.
 If you eat it or drink it, you will die.

You will find the answer hidden somewhere in this newsletter.

I started thinking about different riddle stories and lo and behold, when I was searching for new ideas for this newsletter I found that January 29 is National Puzzle Day! So of course I  had to find some riddle stories to share. 
 
 

"The thing about a story is that you dream it as you tell it, hoping that others might then dream along with you, and in this way memory and imagination combine to make spirits in the head."
From The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

STORIES

A Bride for Khan Turali – Azerbaijan
http://tinyurl.com/cwvgm99

Clever Manka  - Czechoslovakia
http://tinyurl.com/c5cfybb

The Clever Wife - China

http://tinyurl.com/d7d8clp
The Enchanted Princess – Russia
http://tinyurl.com/c7lk63u

Outwitting the Chimp – Congo
http://tinyurl.com/bqqyfso

The Pumpkin in the Jar – Philippines
http://tinyurl.com/d7jt78g

The Riddle – Grimm
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/lfb/gn/gnfb35.htm

The Riddle – Romania
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/roma/gft/gft063.htm

February 2013 is the Year of the Snake and the Chinese New Year begins on February 10. For some sssssscintillating stories go to this link on my blog:
http://tinyurl.com/ayarmzb

Lions, Dragons, and Nian: Animals of the Chinese New Year - Wonderfully inclusive lesson plan on the Chinese Spring Festival and eastern and western dragons associated with the Chinese New Year. Offered by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
http://tinyurl.com/6szu7n

Below are two previous blog posts on the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Tiger and the Year of the Rabbit, respectively. There are additional curriculum and crafts, which will be useful this year as well. 

Year of the Tiger

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-year-of-tiger.html

Year of the Rabbit

http://tinyurl.com/bjokvrv

 

February 26 is Tell a Fairy Tale Day, which is perfect for storytellers! Here is a blog post I wrote in 2011 with a fairly inclusive number of public domain fairy tale books.

Wisdom, Wit and Wonder

http://tinyurl.com/7vb4das

And to add to the fun, a book from 1910.

Fairy Tale Plays and How to Act Them - While some of the language is antiquated it can be easily updated. The book also offers suggestions on costumes, props and scenery. http://tinyurl.com/bpccbt

 

“To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one.” ~Chinese Saying

 

BOOKS

Riddling Tales from Around the World by Marjorie Dundas.

http://tinyurl.com/cpzqezz

Stories to Solve by George Shannon

http://tinyurl.com/buhutom

More Stories to Solve by George Shannon
http://tinyurl.com/d4nawe3
 

BOUNTIFUL BLOG

Snip, Snap, Snute by Lise Lunge-Larsen and the Children’s Literature Network – This blog is a bit different than those I usually highlight but you will find a plethora of reviews on books grouped by specific themes. Teachers, storytellers, librarians and parents should definitely bookmark this blog.

http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/blog/sss/?p=1724

 

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Dale Carnegie

 

BUSINESS NOTES

3 Major Mistakes to Avoid at Networking Events by Bill Lampton, Ph.D. http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/networking-mistakes.htm

How To Get More Newsletter Subscribers by Janet Attard
http://www.businessknowhow.com/internet/subscribers.htm

Key Components of a Business Plan: Part I by Dave Lavinsky

http://www.businessknowhow.com/startup/business-plan-parts.htm
 

CRAFTS

 

Q. Why are cat’s bad storytellers?
A. Because they only have one tail!

Dltk-KIDS – A variety of animal riddles and coloring pages to keep the children guessing.

http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/riddles.htm

How to Make a Puzzle

http://www.examiner.com/article/kids-crafts-how-to-make-a-puzzle

Puzzlemaker.com – This is a terrific site; I use it often. Make your own mazes, word searches and more.

http://tinyurl.com/ashjc76

Puzzle Piece Picture Frame

http://www.kinderart.com/recycle/puzzle2.shtml

CURRICULUM

Learning to Give – Lesson Plan to complement the story of The Clever Wife, found above in the Stories section.

http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit226/lesson18.html

Rocking Riddles – From PBS for grades 1-3. “Help students learn to use descriptive, detailed and creative writing by creating riddles.”

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/wordgirl/lessonplans/riddles/
 

The answer to the riddle at the top of the blog is “Nothing.”

Surfnetkids.com – Lots of links to fun riddles to use in or out of the classroom.

http://www.surfnetkids.com/riddles.htm?awt_l=KxaZg&awt_m=Jilzpjx00zShGL

EDUCATION HIGHWAY, RADIO, SPOKEN WORD AND GUILDS

Education Highway - Go to:
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/08/education-highwaystorytelling-concerts.html

Spoken Word, Open Mics and Storytelling Guilds- Go to: http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/08/story-slams-open-mics-and-storytelling.html

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Remember, if you are seeking stories, curriculum, etc., for other special days or events don’t forget to search the newsletter archives. A Google search box is available on the main newsletter site at http://storybugnewsletter.blogspot.com. I also add stories, crafts and education resources on my blog as well, which also offers a Google search box. You may find my blog here: http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/.

GUEST BLOGGER ARTICLES

A Rising Tide – Guest Blogger’s Share Their Expertise

It is with great appreciation and admiration I offer you the links to the current Guest Blogger articles from my storytelling and business colleagues in the USA and beyond. I will continue to add more as they are published.

If you are interested in becoming a Guest Blogger in 2013 email me at storybug@aol.com for details with “Guest Blogger Information” in the subject heading and be part of the rising tide!
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-rising-tideguest-bloggers-share-their.html

 
This newsletter was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my newsletter via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity. © 2013