Crazy Gibberish and Other Story Hour Stretches

(From a Storyteller's Bag of Tricks)

by Naomi Baltuck
drawings by Doug Cushman

• Elementary School Library Collection, 20th ed.
• Parents’ Choice audiocassette
• Editor’s Choice Audio –Booklist 1/15/95

"Baltuck’s enthusiasm . . . is evident in this useful compilation of chants, stories, songs, tongue-twisters, and other storytime entertainments. . . . Instructions are simple, and each stretch includes a suggested age level, approximate running time, [and] musical accompaniment (where applicable). . . . The appealing format, compact size, and lively presentation make [it] a worthwhile title in any professional’s collection." – School Library Journal (3/94)

"Baltuck’s 18 ‘stretches’ cover audience participation songs, chants, poems, nursery rhymes, jokes, riddles, and musical games. . . . A great tape for crowd control or when the planned entertainment doesn’t show up!" – Booklist (6/1/94)

Wake up and shake up with this professional storyteller’s easy-to-use sourcebook of chants, songs, action stories, riddles, jokes, tongue twisters, and participation games. These "two-minute miracles" are just some of the tricks that Naomi Baltuck uses to keep her young audiences creatively involved during storytelling sessions. Music is included, but you don’t need talent–just enthusiasm. Naomi provides all the practical storytelling tips on body movement, creative dramatics, and audience management needed to lead any size group through ridiculous hand and foot motions, silly faces, call and response, echo songs, and snappy choruses.

About the Author and Illustrator

Naomi Baltuck graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English literature. At various times a teacher, counselor, scout leader, folk dancer, choreographer, and puppeteer, she has now been a storyteller and recording artist for over eighteen years.

Doug Cushman, author/illustrator of the Aunt Eater books, The ABC Mystery, and countless others, made the drawings here during a hot summer month.

Looking for more stories? See our list of Folktales and Storytelling books.