Promote the love of story, familiarize children with a variety of story forms and stimulate curiosity in diverse subjects while building basic literacy skills. In this guide, dozens of enchanting stories from around the world are accompanied by simple learning extensions for children (ages 4 through 8) that build such important literacy skills as print awareness, print motivation, vocabulary, phonological awareness, listening skills, and predicting and sequencing skills. Each of the 14 chapters begins with an interactive, illustrated folktale finger play as the starting point for a range of literacy building activities such as acting out, re-telling, writing, and discussions; and ends with a short list of related books. A great resource for library story hour, the book will also be invaluable to storytellers, teachers, day care centers, and after school programs. Grades PreK-3. Enchant children with these interactive stories while building a solid foundation for literacy in young learners. This guide is designed to promote in children (ages 4 through 8) the love of story, familiarize them with a variety of story forms, stimulate curiosity in diverse subjects, and build literacy skills. It offers approximately 40 engaging and interactive tales from around the world along with related activities, and it provides educators and storytellers with a wealth of exciting material for literacy and storytelling programs. The book is organized in three sections-Exploring Structures of Stories, Exploring Themes and Characters through Stories, and Exploring Cultures through Stories. Each of the 14 chapters begins with an interactive, illustrated folktale finger play as starting point for a range of literacy building activities such as acting out, re-telling, writing, and discussions. Related stories and picture book references build upon such themes as tall tales, sharing, magical helpers, and the rain forest. Tips for working with younger children, as well as gifted and older children are also included. Grades PreK-3.