The School Library Journal, September 2006
This delightful collection supplies everything needed for a satisfying storytelling session, except a comfy lap to cuddle on. The potpourri of eight folktales includes selections from Africa, the British Isles, Europe, Asia, and America. Each teaches a subtle lesson without being overt or heavy-handed. Two stories deal with the fairness of judgments: a poor woman charged with stealing the scent of baking bread in “A Sense of Theft” receives an unexpectedly compassionate verdict and “The Clever Girl” proves far wiser than the magistrate she marries. “Searching For Fear” introduces an unflappable little raccoon who has never been afraid until he is elected king. In “The Selkie Bride,” a Scottish fisherman marries a beautiful selkie woman, only to lose her years later to the sea. Music is provided by Laura Hall, of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” fame and her young daughters, Ruthie and Eva, announce the titles, adding a lighthearted touch. Stories are read by a variety of actors and actresses whose talents are well matched to the folktales they tell. Kathleen Wilhoite’s hilarious performance in “The Boatman’s Howling Daughter” and Jack McGee’s rendition of the “Two Frogs From Japan” sparkle with energy and creativity. The author includes not only a concise summary of each story but pertinent background information as well, dating each story historically and identifying the country of origin. A perfect CD for one-on-one sharing or for group storytelling, “Tell Me a Story” will be a welcome addition to any home or library collection.
Nancy K. Wallace, Children's Librarian (and Amazon.com reviewer), July 2006
Veteran columnist Amy Friedman of UPS’s Tell Me a Story fame is once again telling beloved stories from around the world. But this time, with the help of an impressive cast of talented performers and musicians, Friedman’s retellings of folktales are offered in CD form. In agreement with the just ending in the clever first tale, “A Sense of Theft,” I think the more senses involved in the telling of these tales, the better!
The stories come to life in the expressive and captivating voices of stars from screen and stage and the accompanying music sets the perfect tune to match the tone of the individual stories. From the haunting, misty wind tones on the Scottish tale, “The Selkie Bride” to the marimba rhythm of “Anansi and the Turtle’s Feast,” musical traditions of the countries that are represented are blended pleasingly and fittingly with the multicultural tales. But visual people don’t have to feel left out, as the CD jacket also offers colorful illustrations, story summaries and attributions, and performer biographies for those who like to look as well as listen.
As a library professional, some stories were stand-outs for me, not only as great class time “listen-alouds” but as lesson tie-ins. Always adored trickster Anansi’s mishaps with his equally wily turtle friend could be a perfect lead-in to a discussion on manners. And “Searching for Fear” is a timely tale on all things scary (complete with eerie accompanying music and impressive animal imitations by Poppy Champlin) as we head into Halloween. Working in an international school, it’s always nice to find collections that include a diversity of cultures. One caution for would-be lesson-planners; the story listing on back is slightly out of order, so make sure you cue to the correct tale beforehand.
Recently awarded with a Gold Metal in the 8+ category from the National Association of Parenting Products, Tell Me a Story is an enjoyable extension to the newspaper column that kids, parents and educators have enjoyed for years.
Tracy Games McCafferty, Assistant Librarian, American International School, Vienna , September 2006
When I hear about kid stories on CD, I imagine some generic, B-list voice over talent reading Peter Rabbit as my brood rubs their eyes. But Tell Me a Story: Timeless Folktales from Around the World from writer/producer/mastermind Amy Friedman was a different, um, story. 