As we gear up for a new semester of Growing with Books classes, I'm reflecting on how I have come to enjoy storytelling since I began my work with The Reading Tree two and a half years ago. Though I have always loved teaching, I did not consider myself a "storyteller" in the true sense of the word. "Ratoncita Cuenta-Cuentos" (The storytelling mouse) is one such sought after story teller in Costa Rica, the birthplace of my twin boys. Even though I don't dress up as an oversized motherly mouse, I do get paid for reading books to children (among other things). "Professional Storyteller", however, seems too large a title for me just yet.
With the recent release of the movie "Where the Wild Things Are" I am pushed to ponder the original story by Maurice Sendak (the movie tells a good story, but it is a different story from the one Sendak told). I love this story book for read alouds - especially around Halloween time when scary monsters are out and about - which can be rather startling to our young ones. It is amazing that even the youngest minds seem to know what a "monster" is. This book is very empowering for children as Max booms "BE STILL!" and tames the monsters with the magic trick of staring into their eyes without blinking. The monsters, in this way, become smaller than a child's will while remaining larger than life itself. Even toddlers' eyes gleam with delight when Max asserts his own will to leave the monsters behind with a simple "No." I always read this word with a slight upturn, sideways movement of the chin, conveying the confidence of a child who has smugly realized his power. I have a lot of fun rolling my terrible eyes, gnasing my teeth terrible teeth, roaring my terribles roars, and showing my terrible claws in sync with the wild things.
If you haven't read this one in a while, it is well worth revisiting, with someone you love, and make sure you read it aloud. Don't forget to roll those eyes!
-Dawn Noelle
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