A user-friendly, hands-on approach to using storytelling and folktales in character education, as well as twelve stories that are fun, time- and audience-tested, and accessible to a wide range of listeners, from preschool to high school.

The Moral of the Story: Folktales for Character Development

Children's Books

Norfolk, Sherry

Norfolk, Bobby

Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths

August House

Moral of the Story: Folktales for Character Development

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

A timeless trickster tale from Africa about silly spider, Anansì.
Did you ever wonder why spiders have no hair? After reading Anansí and the Pot of Beans, you too will know the answer. This classic folktale from Africa, written by Bobby and Sherry Norfolk, tells the story of when Anansí goes to help his grandmother. Upon arrival he finds her steaming, hot pot of beans, which he can't resist. This is where the fun begins. is a charming story that is entertaining while also teaching important life lessons in character values about responsibility and trust. 
While author, Bobby Norfolk was visiting the town of Kumasi in Ghana in the summer of 1993, a woman told him, "At four-thirty every afternoon, we try to gather together and have Anansi time." Norfolk attended the afternoon break and heard elders tell stories of Anansi, the tireless trickster of Ghanian tradition. Anansi Appears in these stories in his most playful and creative guises. The Norfolks' adaptations brim with action, energy, and humor.

Anansí and the Pot of Beans (Story Cove)

Animals

Anansí the trickster spider is back to his old tricks once again in this classic African folktale. Anansí must use his brainpower to teach Elephant and Whale to respect smaller creatures. He challenges both Elephant and Whale to a tug o' war, but they don't realize that they are actually pulling against each other and not Anansí. In the end, both stubborn animals are so tired that they give up when Anansí asks them who is the strongest animal and he declares himself the winner of the tug o' war. In this battle of wits, brains definitely outdo brawn. This trickster tale from Africa will teach readers the importance of courage, resourcefulness and respect. 
While author, Bobby Norfolk was visiting the town of Kumasi in Ghana in the summer of 1993, a woman told him, "At four-thirty every afternoon, we try to gather together and have Anansi time." Norfolk attended the afternoon break and heard elders tell stories of Anansi, the tireless trickster of Ghanian tradition. Anansi appears in these stories in his most playful and creative guises. The Norfolks' adaptations brim with action, energy, and humor.

Anansí and the Tug O' War (Story Cove)

Anansí Goes to Lunch is another story from the series of West African folktales about Anansi, the trickster spider. In this story, Anansí is invited to three different parties but realizes that it is not possible to attend all three of the lunches at the same time. He decides to tie a rope around his waist and then gives each of his hosts an end of the rope to tug. 
He then asks them to tug the rope when the food is ready so that he can make it to each party when lunch is served. But Anansí receives a surprise when all three lunches are ready at once and each of his friends tugs the rope at the same time. He gets caught in the middle when the rope pulls him in opposite directions and his waist is squeezed tightly in three places. Afterwards he waits for his waist to expand but it never does and that is why spiders now have such small waists. 
This trickster tale from Africa teaches readers the importance of citizenship, resourcefulness and responsibility.

Anansí Goes to Lunch (Story Cove)

A timeless trickster tale from Africa about silly spider, Anansi. This story provides another classic African folktale about the trickster spider Anansi. First off, it is a custom that whenever a guest arrives at mealtime that the host share his or her food with the guest, whether the visitor is invited or shows up uninvited. In this folktale, Anansi learns that Turtle is coming over and that he must share his dinner with Turtle. Being the trickster that he is, Anansi figures out a way to trick Turtle so that he can keep all of the food for himself. Of course, when Turtle realizes what Anansi has done, he is determined to teach Anansi a lesson. While author, Bobby Norfolk was visiting the town of Kumasi in Ghana in the summer of 1993, a woman told him, "At four-thirty every afternoon, we try to gather together and have Anansi time." Norfolk attended the afternoon break and heard elders tell stories of Anansi, the tireless trickster of Ghanian tradition. Anansi appears in these stories in his most playful and creative guises. The Norfolks' adaptations brim with action, energy, and humor.

Anansí and Turtle Go to Dinner (Story Cove)

Anansí and the Sky Kingdom is another folktale from West Africa about the trickster spider Anansí. This timeless story is written by the award-winning creative team of Bobby and Sherry Norfolk. In this folktale, the world is dark and King Lion asks for someone to go to the King of the Sky to ask for light. Many animals try but all of them fail to bring light to the world. Finally, Anansí offers to take on the task after all of the other animals have failed. He uses his courageous wit and trickster skills to successfully bring light to the world and all of the animals rejoice. These trickster legends from Africa teach readers the importance of citizenship, courage and resourcefulness.
While author, Bobby Norfolk was visiting the town of Kumasi in Ghana in the summer of 1993, a woman told him, "At four-thirty every afternoon, we try to gather together and have Anansi time." Norfolk attended the afternoon break and heard elders tell stories of Anansi, the tireless trickster of Ghanian tradition. Anansi Appears in these stories in his most playful and creative guises. The Norfolks' adaptations brim with action, energy, and humor.

Anansí and the Sky Kingdom (Story Cove)

Consisting of a series of essays written by storytellers who work in the classroom, as well as teachers who use storytelling in the classroom, this title addresses specific curriculum areas, and includes practical, easily replicable lesson plans. Also included is a review and explanation of the current research on the value of storytelling in the classroom in teaching the whole brain using the multiple intelligences and the integration of thinking in the left and right brain. It makes valid connections to educational standards in curriculum areas. Topics addressed are from the dual viewpoints of storytellers and educators.
The Storytelling Classroom is an inspiring, practical and immediately applicable collection of preK through eighth grade lesson plans by and for teachers and media specialists who use storytelling in the classroom and storytellers who work in the classroom. Each lesson plan is linked to National Standards in Language Arts Social Studies, Math or Science and accompanied by an essay which provides a glimpse of the alchemy that occurs when students, teachers and story are brought together: student engagement, classrooms that are alive with thinking students, LEARNING!

The Storytelling Classroom: Applications Across the Curriculum

Williams, Diane

Stenson, Jane

Teen & Young Adult

Libraries Unlimited

The authors and contributors—educators, storytellers, and peacemakers—discuss what each of us can do to promote a more peaceful community, country, and world.

Speak Peace: Words of Wisdom, Work, and Wonder

Ford, Ms. Lynette

Social Sciences

Parkhurst Brothers Publishers Inc

The Virginia Giant, a one-man army! Peter Francisco was believed to have had almost super-human strength. According to legend, George Washington said, "Without him we would have lost two crucial battles, perhaps the war, and with it our freedom." Francisco, a Portuguese immigrant, was raised outside Richmond and after hearing Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech, he joined the Virginia Colonial Militia. He was known for his battle-hardened skills, and his bravery at Brandywine, Stony Point, Camden and Guilford Courthouse led to stories of epic portions. Join authors Bobby and Sherry Norfolk as they separate fact from myth on topics ranging from pirates to redcoats to exciting acts of valor in this remarkable story of a true American hero.

The Virginia Giant: The True Story of Peter Francisco

History

The History Press

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