Handbook for Storytellers

Reviewed By Inga Davis

This site is actually a link from Internet School library Media Center but it stands alone as its own reference source for learning the skills of storytelling. The information is provided by Inez Ramsey, Professor Emeritus at James Madison University.

The basis of this site is to provide a condensed but thorough overview of the important elements of storytelling and how to best implement them into a personal storytelling style. The information is meant for students of storytelling or any person interested in starting a storytelling program. Ms. Ramsey divides the elements for the art of storytelling into six parts: What is Storytelling and Why Tell Stories, Origins of Storytelling, Choosing Stories, Learning the Story, Voices and Gestures, and Record Keeping. Each page of information is concise, easy to read, and understand with explanations for the beginner. She provides realistic suggestions that focus on performing storytelling in your own style.

Ms. Ramsey uses a variety of current resources for the basis of her information. She provides a list and some links for further reference into storytelling. I noticed it is very comparable to Kendall Haven's Super Simple Storytelling but more in an outline form. The site also provides some links for further clarification inside the element of discussion and of course a link to the Internet School Library Media Center, which has numerous links to many topics.

This site is easy to use with simple text screens and proper fonts for easy reading by the user. I would recommend this site for those interested in starting a storytelling program in any avenue.