Folk and fairy tales teach us about different cultures and the way they see the world
A collection of the author’s favorite folktales from his professional storytelling repertoire, retold in contemporary jargon for young reader, UNDER THE OAKEN BOUGH is an anthology which breathes new life into the folk and fairy tales of old. Professional storyteller, Simon Brooks, has written the stories he loves to tell in the style he uses on stage, whether at a library, school, college, private event or festival. Each story concludes with brief notes about the tale. This wonderful little book is a must have, not just for young people entering the realm of folk and fairy tales for themselves, but for parents who love to read to their children, teachers and librarians. The book includes a Q & A section with the author, a guide on how to tell stories, suggested reading, and a list of vocabulary words and their meanings. Half of the eighteen stories come from Europe, the remainder from the rest of the world. Some of these stories are old favorites, but inside you will find stories which can be hard to find, and seldom told. Join Simon Under the Oaken Bough and step into another realm, far, far away.
Simon Brooks’ collection of folk and fairy tales is a must-have for parents to read to kids, while trying not to smile too much. Witty, funny and full of tenderness, Brooks’ slightly irreverent, post-modern versions of world tales are marked by his ability to bring his characters to life, both with breezy but still vivid descriptions of animals and people, gifted dialog for all of them, and a lovely warmth for his material.... Brooks even adds a how-to about oral storytelling itself, filled with insights for both beginners and seasoned performers. With evocative illustrations by Rob Brookes, Under the Oaken Bough is a gem. —Odds Bodkin, Storyteller/Author
British storyteller, Simon Brooks was raised on stories and taken to the places where they began. Ancient hills, standing stones, castles and traditional stories were Simon’s upbringing. Simon became a professional storyteller in 2003, entrancing young and old alike. He performs at over 100 venues a year, libraries, colleges, schools, festivals, hospitals, and private events. Simon has recorded a number of successful storytelling CDs of his own, and audio books for others. Simon is a nationally recognized storyteller and voice actor with awards from Storytelling World and Parent’s Choice. This is Simon’s first written collection of folk and fairy tales. Photo by Aidan Brooks