Storytelling is as old as language, spanning all cultures and appealing to all audiences. I wondered "What could be new with this ancient art?" Then I discovered How to Tell a Story by Daniel Nayeri and Spot by David Wiesner, two intriguing new approaches to exploring the art of storytelling. Young readers and writers will appreciate these visual tools which stimulate thinking and offer innovative approaches to learning the art of storytelling.
How to Tell a Story by Daniel Nayeri
How to Tell a Story consists of a full-color 144-page book paired with a collection of 20 six-sided, illustrated storytelling cubes. The blocks are coded by color, each loosely associated with a part of speech. An accompanying guide book presents activities to introduce the storytelling principles of characters, conflict, climax, dialogue, motivation and theme. For example, an activity might direct an individual to roll the blocks and find one red block (person or animal) “who wanted nothing more in this world than to” one green block (action).
These brightly colored cubes bring a “hands on” approach and an open-ended aspect to creative writing and storytelling. This can serve as a great addition to classrooms, creative writing workshops, and storytelling programs for youth groups. The possibilities are endless.
These brightly colored cubes bring a “hands on” approach and an open-ended aspect to creative writing and storytelling. This can serve as a great addition to classrooms, creative writing workshops, and storytelling programs for youth groups. The possibilities are endless.
Spot by David Wiesner
Taking full advantage of the iPad capabilities, SPOT leads users through wondrous worlds which encourage exploration and story-telling.
This immersive and wordless interactive storybook app launches the reader into five incredibly detailed and imaginatively realized worlds. Follow the trail interconnecting the worlds to see how a world so big can become one so close and accessible. It is up to each viewer to decide the direction they wish to take. The animations revealed with each "pinch" and "zoom" invite further exploration. The app’s non-linear format promotes exploration, and learning through experimentation.
A downloadable iBook includes an extensive guide for using SPOT. It’s easy to get lost for hours and hours in this astounding "world within a world within a world".
This immersive and wordless interactive storybook app launches the reader into five incredibly detailed and imaginatively realized worlds. Follow the trail interconnecting the worlds to see how a world so big can become one so close and accessible. It is up to each viewer to decide the direction they wish to take. The animations revealed with each "pinch" and "zoom" invite further exploration. The app’s non-linear format promotes exploration, and learning through experimentation.
A downloadable iBook includes an extensive guide for using SPOT. It’s easy to get lost for hours and hours in this astounding "world within a world within a world".
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