The Growth of a Storyteller

Telling the story of three years of classroom-based research, this sequel to the bestselling Princesses, Dragons and Helicopter Stories reveals the positive impact the storytelling and story acting curriculum of Vivian Gussin Paley has on young children’s literacy, communication and confidence.

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This sequel to the bestselling Princesses, Dragons and Helicopter Stories reveals the positive impact the storytelling and story acting curriculum of Vivian Gussin Paley has on young children’s literacy, communication and confidence. Telling the story of three years of classroom-based research with children aged two to seven, it shows the Helicopter Stories approach in action, capturing the children’s development as storytellers and their delight at having their stories listened to, scribed and acted out.

In each chapter Trisha Lee’s passion for children’s unique voices shines through as she shares and reflects on the children’s stories, paying each of them the same respect as would normally be bestowed on adult writers. Exploring the importance of story in children’s lives, the book:






Examines the cognitive and developmental impact of implementing a Helicopter Stories approach over an extended time period



Analyses the stories told by children using the story structure of the Hero’s Journey, and the seven basic plot types



Explores how and why stories connect with us including children’s innate ability to empathise with the hero from a very young age



Includes rich case studies of children at different ages and developmental stages including those with additional needs

Offering a fascinating insight into how Helicopter Stories work in practice and addressing the frequently asked questions about the benefits of using this approach, The Growth of a Storyteller is valuable reading for anyone interested in storytelling and story acting with their children.