Michael Wenner

Telephone Tales Michael Wenner

TO THE NARRATORThese stories are written mainly, though not exclusively,for children. Like most such tales, they are designed to be read aloud and theyhave proved very popular with many young audiences. The stories are moreovershort enough to offer entertainment within the brief span of a two to threeminute telephone call and they have in fact been successfully told long-distanceat bedtime over the phone. The more expressively and colorfully they are read,the more they are enjoyed. So, narrators, come out strongly with your sheepbleats, pooch growls, dragon snorts, a good 'yi-ucks'at the smell of garbage, and all the other important sound effects suggested inthe texts; and have fun narrating as you go! Some of the Tales may contain words new to young audiences. -('Grandma - what does 'dawdle' mean, and what is a 'shrew'?) - So a glossary is provided [at P (iv)] for you toconsult if necessary. The stories can in this way usefully serve as effectivevocabulary expanders, without taking substantially longer to read. A few. illustrationsare provided for audiences being read to direct. Listeners may, however, liketo draw their own interpretations of, say, Holy MacRoary, Busybody Sniff or Dog Molecule. In our own family, Captain Trumpet and AuntCrotchety have proved popular subjects for grandsons to Fax back to Grandad. A pleasant surprise has been that despite or perhaps becauseof the quirky nature of these stories, they have been shown to appeal toparents with a sense of humor as well as to offspring.