Youth Services - Anne Izard Storytellers' Award 2005

Cullen, Lynn. Little Scraggly Hair: A Dog on Noah's Ark. Holiday House, 2003.
When folks tell about Noah's ark, they usually claim no one believed in him. But that's not the whole story, because one scraggly-haired dog served Noah faithfully. Turns out long, long ago no one wanted a useless, dry-nosed, flea-carrying, cat-chasin' dog around - 'cept Noah. Noah and that dog weathered doubters, a teeming ark, and 40 days/40 nights of rain to find a happy ending near a warm fire. With a dialect as affecting as the story she tells, Lynn Cullen brings us an Americanized, 19th-century version of Noah's story told from Little Scraggly Hair's point of view.

Gerstein, Mordicai. The Man Who Walked between the Towers Roaring Brook Press, 2003.
Honored with the 2004 Caldecott Medal for stunning illustrations, Gerstein's writing is a splendid piece of storytelling. With the deceptive simplicity of classic fairytale language, he tells the story of Philippe Petit's daring wire walk between New York's Twin Towers in 1974. In recounting the young man's extraordinary achievement, the story celebrates the unquenchable human spirit. It also reminds us two towers once reached gracefully up into the sky. This astonishing, multi-layered story deserves to be heard.

Keding, Dan. Stories of Hope and Spirit: Folktales from Eastern Europe. August House, 2004.
With unexpected twists and turns, a dozen Balkan tales explore great folkloric themes. Thus, justice comes to Mareshka, an ill-treated stepdaughter, from "the council of the twelve months of the year" which is presided over by January, the oldest and most powerful. In another story, three lazy boys dig up an entire field searching for wealth, only to find the "gold" their father wanted them to find in work itself. Told to the author by his Croatian grandmother, these tales will lure storytellers in search of little-known material that is sure to surprise and intrigue their audiences.

Lester, Julius. On Writing for Children and Other People. Dial, 2004.
Julius Lester gives many definitions of "story" in this extraordinary memoir that charts his evolution as a storyteller. He reflects on the impact of religious, racial, social and familial influences. He philosophically explores issues of creative writing, the life of the imagination and the power of story. Most importantly, Lester shares his passion for stories- those we hear, tell, and live. As he says, "Story makes us more human to each other." And less lonely. Everyone who cares about connecting stories with children will find nourishment in this encouraging book. Seek it out; it offers nothing less than a moving, life-changing experience.

McCann, Michelle and Luba Tryszynska-Frederick. Luba: the Angel of Bergen-Belsen. Tricycle Press, 2004..
Against the depravity and despair perpetrated by Nazis in concentration camps, stands one woman whose compassion and altruism moved others to help her care for fifty-four children in Bergen-Belsen. A story for older students and adults, segments of this aurally satisfying biography also can stand alone. The story "like the woman herself" attracts us through a modest, tender and confiding tone. Shattering ennui and cynicism, then and now, Luba bears witness to the fact that goodness is as contagious as fear. Pass it on!

McCaughrean, Geraldine. Gilgamesh the Hero. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2003.
An epic as old as love, anger, fear and hope chronicles an unlikely friendship between Gilgamesh, a powerful king, and Enkidu, a wild man. Together, their bond defeats monsters and mythical beasts, while it infuriates goddesses and mortals alike. Danger hovers ever near, yet when death comes for Enkidu, the mighty king sinks into despair. Searching to resolve his anguish, Gilgamesh travels to the end of the world and back again before he grasps that his happiness depends on his willingness to feel hope again. With dynamic and lyrical language, McCaughrean creates a tellable version of a classic tale.

McGill, Alice. Sure as Sunrise. Houghton Mifflin, 2004.
In this fine collection of stories by Alice McGill, the always clever, always tricky Bruh Rabbit and friends bounce in and out of trouble with style and humor that is true to the oral tradition from which they sprang. Upon hearing these tales, listeners of all ages will get caught up in Bruh Rabbit's laugh-out-loud adventures. Like the storytellers who told these stories to Alice McGill as a child, Ms. McGill also seems to be an eyewitness to the goings-on of these fascinating creatures. Her voice lends authority and sparkle to tales that children will beg to hear, and hear again.

Myers, Tim. Tanuki's Gift: A Japanese Tale. Marshall Cavendish, 2003.
In contrast to the veneer of materialism, this quiet story plumbs the depths of the contemplative life and the priceless gift of friendship. A Buddhist priest opens his door to a tanuki, a small badger-like animal, one bitterly cold night. Over successive winters, they open their hearts to one another and their friendship grows. When the tanuki disappears to find three gold coins to repay the priest for his kindness, the priest discovers the true meaning of friendship. Though Myers' retelling offers a happier ending to an ancient Japanese "debt of gratitude" story, the core of the story remains undisturbed. The tale is so satisfying that after it's grasped, it immediately wants to be expressed.

Paye, Won-Ldy and Margaret H. Lippert. Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile. Henry Holt and Company, 2003.
A slightly narcissistic chicken becomes the potential dinner of a crocodile. Using quick thinking and quicker wit, Mrs. Chicken's captor soon believes they are sisters and, therefore, Mrs. Chicken should not become dinner. This traditional Dan story from northeastern Liberia was passed down by Paye's grandmother, who trained him from childhood to be a storyteller. His short and colorful version serves as an excellent selection for first-time tellers and seasoned tellers alike.

Sima, Judy and Kevin Cordi. Raising Voices: Creating Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes. Libraries Unlimited, 2003.
Mounting evidence supports and recognizes that storytelling provides marvelous venues for the development of language skills among young people. Judy Sima and Kevin Cordi offer a reassuring blueprint, so librarians and teachers can avoid reinventing the wheel. Practical in its every suggestion, this book offers ideas for attracting kids to join a storytelling group, as well as organizational plans for both leaders and young participants. They incorporate activities to assist in learning stories, in presenting stories, and offer suggestions for raising funds. With this guide in hand, all who believe in story and its value for young storytellers will find themselves inspired and well on their way.

Spaulding, Amy. The Wisdom of Storytelling in an Information Age Scarecrow Press, 2004.
Information is important, but wisdom is invaluable. Spaulding, a professor at Long Island University's Palmer School of Library and Information Science, makes an eloquent and passionate case for storytelling as a path to wisdom. In a collection of talks - some to students, some to parent groups - she illuminates the value and relevance of storytelling in our technologically-driven society. She addresses how stories nurture imagination and creativity, how listening to stories differs from reading, and the idea of stories as social glue. Insightful, provocative writing demonstrates the vitality and efficacy of storytelling to our contemporary life.

Willey, Margaret. Clever Beatrice and the Best Little Pony. Simon and Schuster, 2004.
Once again, Willey's retelling of a French-Canadian folktale features the wonderfully clever heroine Beatrice. Beatrice is determined to apprehend the mysterious intruder who sneaks into the barn and rides her beloved pony each night. Characters such as Monsieur Le Pain, a baker known to help with matters not easily explained, and the lutin, an elflike creature who is the culprit, lend an air of magic to the tale. This captivating story is a lilting tribute to the self-sufficiency and resourcefulness of one young girl.

Wolkstein, Diane. Treasures of the Heart: Holiday Stories that Reveal the Soul of Judaism. Schocken Books, 2003.
With the mind of a scholar, the spirit of a storyteller and the heart of a woman, Diane Wolkstein masterfully retells ancient holiday stories that mark the seasons of the Jewish calendar. In a compelling voice, she perceptively reworks stories translated from original Hebrew texts and places them in both historical and modern contexts. This treasury reaches out to all who claim the Old Testament as their heritage, and to everyone who appreciates the gifts of the Western canon. In spite of the complexity of the task, the stunning simplicity with which these tales are told makes them accessible to all who read, or even better, hear them aloud.

This is the Seventh presentation of the award which was established in 1992 and is given every two years.

Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award Committee Co-Chairs:
Carol Katz - formerly, Irvington Public Library
Zahra M. Baird - Chappaqua Library
Carol Birch - Chappaqua Library
Tata Canuelas - White Plains Public Library
Deirdre Goode - Mount Vernon Public Library
Melissa Heckler - Lee S. Jackson Elementary School
Marianne McShane - Rippowan-Cisqua School
Sarah Northsheild - Haverstraw Public Library
Susan Polos - Mt. Kisco Elementary School
Ellen Tannenbaum - Dover Plains Public Library
Neva Winter - Rye Storytellers' Guild
Karen Zielinski - Scarsdale Public Library
with
Judith Rovenger, Youth Services Consultant - Westchester Library System