Storytelling Encyclopedia: Historical, Cultural, and Multiethnic Approaches to Oral Traditions Around the World

(Hardback)

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Description

Oral storytelling is a form of communication that dates back to the dawn of mankind. Teachers, librarians and storytellers continue to find that traditional storytelling methods possess unparalleled power as a medium for the education, entertainment and enchantment of children. The "Storytelling Encyclopaedia" is the first definitive reference work to address the substantive elements of storytelling. It is an "A to Z" collection of over 700 authoritative yet highly readable articles containing descriptive information about the major types, elements, characters, themes, titles and reference points in storytelling. The articles are written primarily by scholars in the fields of anthropology and folklore, and they examine the cultural context and performance aspects of storytelling, and include numerous illustrative examples of authors, places, characters and titles. Bibliographies are also included. This new volume should be an important addition to the collections of public libraries and school library media centres. It should also be a useful reference source at the academic level for courses in literature, drama, speech, communication and anthropology.

Reviews

.,."a valuable source on various aspects of folklore and storytelling around the world from early times to the present. It should prove of interest to librarians, teachers, students, and others interested in the subject."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
.,."includes a great deal of material not covered in any other reference source, making it a worthwhile purchase for public and academic libraries where usage justifies."-Library Journal
.,."provides an excellent, broad basis for understanding the topic of multiethnic storytelling."-Come-All-Ye
.,."this 560-page compendium is a gem for teachers and "word weavers" alike."-Teaching Tolerance
.,."what is contained in this wide-reaching volume is a treasure indeed and more than enough to keep devotees of storytelling and folklore busy for quite some time."-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
...a valuable source on various aspects of folklore and storytelling around the world from early times to the present. It should prove of interest to librarians, teachers, students, and others interested in the subject.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
...includes a great deal of material not covered in any other reference source, making it a worthwhile purchase for public and academic libraries where usage justifies.-Library Journal
...provides an excellent, broad basis for understanding the topic of multiethnic storytelling.-Come-All-Ye
...this 560-page compendium is a gem for teachers and "word weavers" alike.-Teaching Tolerance
...what is contained in this wide-reaching volume is a treasure indeed and more than enough to keep devotees of storytelling and folklore busy for quite some time.-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
An accessible reference work for school, undergraduate and small public libraries.-Orana
Even when they turn to it to verify a fact, the Storytelling Encyclopedia will give students of folklore, anthropology, and literature insights into the ways societies have affirmed cultural identity and transmitted values through the storytellers art.-Rettig on Reference
What a good idea! A comprehensive sourcebook in ONE VOLUME!....It's interesting reading. If you are a writer of original tales, this can be your Bible, your main reference.-The Story Bag: A National Storytelling Newsletter
..."a valuable source on various aspects of folklore and storytelling around the world from early times to the present. It should prove of interest to librarians, teachers, students, and others interested in the subject."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
..."includes a great deal of material not covered in any other reference source, making it a worthwhile purchase for public and academic libraries where usage justifies."-Library Journal
..."provides an excellent, broad basis for understanding the topic of multiethnic storytelling."-Come-All-Ye
..."this 560-page compendium is a gem for teachers and "word weavers" alike."-Teaching Tolerance
..."what is contained in this wide-reaching volume is a treasure indeed and more than enough to keep devotees of storytelling and folklore busy for quite some time."-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"An accessible reference work for school, undergraduate and small public libraries."-Orana
"What a good idea! A comprehensive sourcebook in ONE VOLUME!....It's interesting reading. If you are a writer of original tales, this can be your Bible, your main reference."-The Story Bag: A National Storytelling Newsletter
"Even when they turn to it to verify a fact, the Storytelling Encyclopedia will give students of folklore, anthropology, and literature insights into the ways societies have affirmed cultural identity and transmitted values through the storytellers art."-Rettig on Reference

Author Bio

DAVID ADAMS LEEMING is professor emeritus of English and comparative literature at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, where he has taught since 1969. He held the position of Lycee English Head at Robert College, Istanbul, from 1961 to 1963 and again from 1966 to 1969. Leeming is the author of Mythology: The Voyage of the Hero and The World of Myth. He is also the coauthor of several works, including God: Myths of the Male Divine, Dictionary of Creation Myths, Encyclopedia of Creation Myths, and Goddess: Myths of the Female Divine and the forthcoming Mythology of Native North America. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from Princeton University and a master's degree and a Ph.D. from New York University.