Winner of NAPPA Gold Award & Parents' Choice Award

Did you ever look carefully at a spider's web? If their purpose is simply to catch flies, why do spiders weave such beautiful, intricate webs? Did you ever wonder what causes thunder? Why is the sea salty? How did tigers get their stripes? In this collection of delightful tales from around the world and through the ages, each story explains why an animal, plant, or natural object looks or acts the way it does.

Following each story are tips for telling--especially written for children, but suitable for any age--that include suggestions for timing, intonation, gestures, and body language. There are also short modern, scientific explanations for each story subject and a map showing in what area of the world each story originated. Designed for use in primary and middle grades, this book is perfect for children to read on their own as well as those who want to learn to tell stories.

It's also a wonderful resource for adults who tell stories to children, and for teachers to use in conjunction with science, language arts, or social studies curricula.