Telling Your Own Stories by Donald Davis

About fifteen years ago, my family had the pleasure of hearing American storyteller Donald Davis in person. Although our twins were only three or four, they sat spellbound on our laps while they listed to Mr. Davis tell stories about his life growing up in a small Southern town. I'm sure they really didn't follow his hilarious story about getting a tetanus shot as a small boy, but he seemed to put them and all the other children there into a trance. Since then, I have learned he is a storyteller of national fame. He's from North Carolina and tours the country each year as a storyteller.

Telling Your Own Stories is his how-to book of storytelling. David believes everyone has a story, even if they think their lives are boring and nondescript. His book is full of prompts to get you and others started on your own stories

Some of his prompts include "can you remember a time when you got into trouble for something had already been told not to do" and "can you remember a time when you learned something from a child" and "take us on a visit to your favorite childhood store." Imagine using these prompts at a family reunion. Everyone there, of almost any age, can participate. Sometimes, the most trivial events turn out to be the most interesting.

He also takes us into the languages of storytelling. He says these are gestures, sounds, attitude and emotion, listener feedback and words. Mr. Davis explains that professional storytellers make good use of all of these languages, and we should too when telling our own family stories. He also suggests recording stories. What a great idea! Imagine have a video tape of Grandma talking about the most exciting day in her life. Years later, her grandchildren will enjoy that story, and the story won't be lost.

Telling Your Own Stories is an easy to use and easy to read book that will get you and your family talking about all those significant and sometimes not to significant (yet still interesting) moments in everyone's lives. For about $10, it's a great investment for family times. It's also a good gift for older members of your family. Using the prompts, they can record priceless and precious stories. My mother has actually handwritten the story of her life.

If you have a chance to see Mr. Davis in person, don't pass it by. He's also recorded several CDs which are also great.