The
2009 Storytelling World Resource Awards
Below are the 2009
winners and honors selected from several hundred nominated stories, books, and
recordings. Beneath each award title is a short descriptive phrase about the resource
contents.
The major evaluative criterion was "story-listener appeal" for the items selected in Categories 1-6, and "usefulness for storytellers" for the resources honored in Category 7. These awards are also featured in the 2009
April/May issue of Storytelling Magazine/Storytelling World.
To purchase a copy of this magazine, go to the National Storytelling Network website.
Category 1: Stories for Young Listeners
(See also Categories 2, 5, 6.)
Winners:
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Martina the Beautiful Cockroach A witty retelling of a Cuban folktale by Carmen Agra Deedy [A Spanish version is also available: Martina una cucarachita muy linda] Peachtree Publishers, www.peachtree-online.com |
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The Uglified Ducky A book/CD combination by Willy Claflin August House, www.augusthouse.com |
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Taming Horrible Harry A n insight into the pleasures of learning to read by Lili Chartrand Tundra Books, www.tundrabooks.com |
Honors:
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That Book Woman A young boy’s viewpoint of the importance of books in the 1930s by Heather Henson Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, TEACH.SimonandSchuster.net |
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Violet the Pilot The tale of an underdog’s struggle for respect by Steve Breen Penguin Young Readers Group, www.penguin.com/teachersandlibrarians |
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Willow A story about creativity and imagination in an art class by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan Sleeping Bear Press, www.sleepingbearpress.com |
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The Hinky-Pink An old favorite folktale with an Italian twist by Megan McDonald Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, TEACH.SimonandSchuster.net |
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Billy Brown and the Belly Button Beastie A wacky story inspired by a Japanese folktale by Bobby and Sherry Norfolk August House, www.augusthouse.com |
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The Butter Man A story of hunger, patience, and resourcefulness by Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou Charlesbridge Publishing, www.charlesbridge.com |
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The Monster Who Did My Math A poetic story about math homework by Danny Schnitzlein Peachtree Publishers, www.peachtree-online.com |
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Arthur and Guen An original tale of young Camelot by Jon Koons Penguin Young Readers Group, www.penguin.com/teachersandlibrarians |
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The Sweetest Kiss A spoof on the Frog Prince story by Maranke Rinck Boyds Mills Press, www.boydsmillspress.com |
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The Ghost Catcher A Bengali folktale by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss August House, www.augusthouse.com |
Category 2
Stories for Pre-Adolescent Listeners
(See also Categories 1, 3, 5, 6.)
Winners:
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A Taste of Colored Water A child’s misunderstanding of the word “colored” by Matt Faulkner Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, TEACH.SimonandSchuster.net |
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Running Shoes An empowering story of hope and determination by Frederick Lipp Charlesbridge Publishing, www.charlesbridge.com |
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Even Higher A Jewish folktale with lighthearted humor by Richard Ungar Tundra Books, www.tundrabooks.com |
Honors:
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The Lucky Star A story of heartbreak and optimism during the Great Depression by Judy Young Sleeping Bear Press, www.sleepingbearpress.com |
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Anansi’s Counting Trick A story about the repercussions of playing tricks on others On CD U Tell a Tale produced by the National Institute on Media and the Family www.mediafamily.org |
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President Pennybaker A story for young presidential hopefuls who think life is unfair by Kate Feiffer Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, TEACH.SimonandSchuster.net |
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The Birdman The true story of a man who freed caged birds by Veronika Martenova Charles Tundra Books, www.tundrabooks.com |
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The Cleverest Thief A story of introspection and honesty by T. V. Padma August House, www.augusthouse.com |
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The Magic Pillow An adapted inspirational Chinese story by Demi Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, TEACH.SimonandSchuster.net |
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The Best Eid Ever A story about the biggest Muslim holiday of the year by Asma Mobin-Uddin Boyds Mills Press, www.boydsmillspress.com |
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The Wolves are Back A science story about the balance of nature by Jean Craighead George Penguin Young Readers Group, www.penguin.com/teachersandlibrarians |
Category 3
Stories for Adolescent Listeners
(See also Categories 2, 4, 5, 6.)
Winners:
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The Tell-Tale Heart A chilling delivery of Poe’s classic On CD Spoooky! by Christopher Leebrick www.allgoodstories.com |
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The Errant Knight A journey of decisions and loyalty by Ann Tompert Illumination Arts, www.illumin.com |
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The Perfect Sword A story emphasizing the responsibility of power by Scott Goto Charlesbridge Publishing, www.charlesbridge.com |
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Independent Dames The roles of several American Revolutionary War women (potential for tandem telling) by Laurie Halse Anderson Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, TEACH.SimonandSchuster.net |
Honors:
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I, Vivaldi The story of the famous composer by Janice Shefelman Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, www.eerdmans.com/youngreaders |
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Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer An inspiring true story by Bill Wise Lee & Low Books, www.leeandlow.com |
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Naming Liberty Two interwoven stories relating to the Statue of Liberty by Jane Yolen Penguin Young Readers Group, www.penguin.com/teachersandlibrarians |
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The Stonecutter and the Navajo Maiden A story of a precious family heirloom, written in both English and Navajo by Vee F. Browne Salina Bookshelf, www.salinabookshelf.com |
Category 4
Stories for Adult Listeners
(See also Categories 3, 5, 6.)
Winners:
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The Beauty Pageant A story of adult shenanigans at a beauty pageant On CD Bootsie in Season by Andy Offutt Irwin www.andyirwin.com |
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The Line from Here to There A personal narrative from the West Texas culture From book with same title by Rosanna Taylor Herndon Texas Tech University Press, www.ttup.ttu.edu |
Honors:
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Kalila and Dimna: Fables of Friendship and Betrayal Classic Indian fables uniquely interwoven into a book-length story by Ramsay Wood, www.ramsaywood.com |
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Fog Woman An adapted folktale about respect On DVD Plenty Live! by Rebecca Hom www.backroadsteller.blogspot.com |
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A Child’s Playground A true story about making others feel special by Tony Gilbert from Chicken Soup for the Working Mom’s Soul Health Communications, www.jackcanfield.com |
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A Letter to the New York Times A story-reaction to an erroneous billing On CD Just Hanging Out by Laura J. Bobrow www.storyteller.net/tellers/lbobrow |
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Perfect Child The story of a child who wasn’t viewed as “perfect” by Diana M. Amadeo and This is Bill A story about the importance of belonging by Susan Stava Both from Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, Second Dose Health Communications, www.jackcanfield.com |
Category 5
Storytelling Collections
(See also any story collections listed in Categories 1-4 with specific stories identified.)
Winners:
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Elder Tales Stories of wisdom and courage from around the world by Dan Keding Libraries Unlimited, www.lu.com |
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Mayan Folktales Cultural stories in both English and Spanish by Susan Conklin Thompson and others Libraries Unlimited, www.lu.com |
Honors:
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The McElderry Book of Greek Myths Adapted and simplified Greek myths for ages 6-10 by Eric A. Kimmel Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, TEACH.SimonandSchuster.net |
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A Fire in My Heart A collection of Kurdish Tales by Diane Edgecomb Libraries Unlimited, www.lu.com |
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Birth of the Fifth Sun A collection of Mesoamerican Tales by Jo Harper Texas Tech University Press, www.ttup.ttu.edu |
Category 6
Storytelling Recordings
CDs or DVDs for listening and/or viewing pleasure for any age
(See also the recordings listed in Categories 1-4 with specific stories identified.)
Winners:
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Yes to Running An array of Bill’s favorite stories and songs DVD by Bill Harley (A CD set of same material is also available) Round River Records, www.billharley.com |
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Abraham and Isaac: Sacrifice at Gettysburg A true story about President Abraham Lincoln and Private Isaac Taylor CD by Adrienne B. Lieberman and Syd Lieberman www.sydlieberman.com |
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From Black and White to Living In Color and |
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Here There Be Dragons A collection of dragon stories CD by Alan Irvine www.alanirvine.com |
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Making the Heart Whole Again Stories for a Wounded World CD by Milbre Burch www.kindcrone.com |
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Living in Harmony Seven stories (embedded in a longer one) about the treatment of others CD by Donna Jacobs Sife www.livinginharmonystories.com |
Honors:
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Yarns of the Brothers Grimm Four adapted stories from the legendary brothers CD by The Storycrafters, www.storycrafters.com |
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Cultures in Collision Stories about conflict and resolution CD produced by Jeff Gere www.jeffgere.com |
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Defeating Giants NIV Biblical stories about Goliath and other giants CD by George Sarris World’s Greatest Stories, www.WorldsGreatestStories.com |
Category 7
Special Storytelling Resources
Winners:
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Tell the World: Storytelling Across Language Barriers Stories and information for use with translators and interpreters by Margaret Read MacDonald Libraries Unlimited, www.lu.com |
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Storytelling An encyclopedia of storytelling, mythology, and folklore (a 3-book set) by Josepha Sherman M.E. Sharpe, www.mesharpe.com |
Honors:
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Arab Folklore: A Handbook Cultural information and stories by Dwight F. Reynolds Greenwood Press, www.greenwood.com |
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Wonder Kids The remarkable lives of nine child prodigies by Charis Cotter Annick Press, www.annickpress.com |
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Dangerous Crossings! (Ten Daring Treks Across Land, Sea, and Air) Interesting text for crafting stories (especially for adolescents) by Antonia Banyard Annick Press, www.annickpress.com |